Department starts growing beards

Published Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Certified deputies and civilian employees of the St. Johns County Sheriffs Department are taking a break from shaving now in support of Walk America, a fund-raising effort to benefit the March of Dimes. This years walk begins at 9 a.m. Nov. 10 at R.B. Hunt Elementary School, and Sheriff David Shoar is serving as chairman.

So as a mean to help raise money to improve the health of babies, Shoar gave permission for male employees to take a break from shaving from Sept. 15 to Nov. 15. But there is a catch. They must donate $50 to the March of Dimes.

And, all beards, says the sheriff, must be neatly trimmed.

At the conclusion of the hairy event, the sheriff will award trophies for the best beard, most unique beard and the Ernest Hemmingway look-a-like beard.

Walk America has been one of the country's best-loved walking events dating back to the 1970s, says Shoar. As the first national walk, it has become the MOD's largest fundraising event.

Proceeds help fight to save babies from premature birth -- the leading killer of newborns, and other serious threats to an infant's health.

More than half a million babies are born too soon each year, says Shoar. More than 120,000 babies are born with serious birth defects that can mean a lifetime of disability. "It's important to me that all babies get a healthy start in life," the sheriff adds.

Between 1994 and 2004, he adds, the rate of infants born preterm in Florida increased nearly 13 percent. In an average week in Florida, 358 babies are born with low birth weight -- less than 5 1/2 pounds.